42 U.S.C. § 285l: Applied Toxicological Research and Testing Program

There is established within the Institute a program for conducting applied research and testing regarding toxicology, which program shall be known as the Applied Toxicological Research and Testing Program. to expand knowledge of the health effects of environmental agents; to broaden the spectrum of toxicology information that is obtained on selected chemicals; to develop and validate assays and protocols, including alternative methods that can reduce or eliminate the use of animals in acute or chronic safety testing; to establish criteria for the validation and regulatory acceptance of alternative testing and to recommend a process through which scientifically validated alternative methods can be accepted for regulatory use; to communicate the results of research to government agencies, to medical, scientific, and regulatory communities, and to the public; and to integrate related activities of the Department of Health and Human Services.